Give Thanks for Holiday Safety
As Thanksgiving approaches, incidents of impaired driving increase. Alcohol-impaired driving education is not always on top of employers’ to-do lists, especially since incidents most often happen outside of work hours. While many organizations have policies specific to their workplace, employers can take it a step further before the holidays and help employees understand the risks of impaired driving – no matter where they are.
Did you know that more than 29% of Louisiana’s fatal crashes are alcohol related? Impairment also can be a result of drug use, including opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines. Check your over-the-counter medicines here to see if they pose any risks to driving. Fatigue and stress can also lead to impairment and impact safe driving. Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. You can review the Louisiana Traffic Report Summary to see crash data in each parish.
Remind your employees they need to have a plan when celebrating: Always drive 100% sober, designate a sober driver, hail a taxi or use a rideshare service.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers great social media kits with talking points, message boards and graphics. Share these resources in common areas to promote a safe lifestyle outside of work hours:
- Media campaigns: Drunk Driving Resources
- Facts about Blackout Wednesday/Thanksgiving Eve
- Thanksgiving Resources
Thanksgiving is all about family, food, football and fun! Bring safety to the table along with the turkey and help your employees prepare for a safe holiday.
Smart Choices
Join us in sharing the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over safety campaign from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign runs from Dec. 11 through Jan. 1. In the U.S., 25% of fatal crashes involve a drunk driver with a BAC of .15 or more. Share this new resource with your employees – November Traffic Tabloid.
Why is this important to share with employees? On Sept. 24, Louisiana State Police responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash that claimed a life of a 23-year-old who was on the job at the time of the crash. On Sept. 28, Louisiana State Police responded to a crash that claimed the life of a 5-year-old child and severely injured a 10-year-old as a result of impaired driving. Impairment begins with the first drink, and there are many ways you can prevent impaired driving.
What can employers do? Talk about the risks of impaired driving and how crashes can impact everyone, whether they occur on or off the job.
Share the following NHTSA resources to remind employees the importance of making good decisions every time they get behind the wheel
- Social Media: Share on your social media channels or in regular communications
- Talking Points: Share in staff meetings
- Sample News Release: Share these in your monthly safety reminders
- Graphics: Share in company communications
Or share our NEW impaired driving resource:
Condolences
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the news of the untimely death of Judge Jules Edwards, III, of Lafayette, LA, in its Fall 2024 Impaired Driving Update.
Judge Edwards served as the Louisiana State Judicial Outreach Liaison. He was a past member of the Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education Advisory Council, a past member of the Louisiana Drug Policy Board and the Governor’s DWI-Task Force.
The Our Driving Concern team extends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Judge Edwards. The work will continue to prevent impaired driving in Louisiana.